Selah2020: Pause and Reflect

[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during July 2022]

Complacency, procrastination and inertia. Surely we all can recognise these characteristics, in other people even if do not admit to them ourselves.

Shall I bother to write about them? Maybe a better idea will come to me if I wait a bit – it usually does. In any case I need to think about it for a bit longer before getting on with it.

There are verses in the Bible which, it could be argued, tend to provide some justification for such behaviour.

• Complacency: Contentment is great gain
• Procrastination: Be still before the Lord and wait
• Inertia: The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved

 
But surely this cannot be right. How can we reconcile these attitudes with the traditional Christian values enshrined in a conscientious work ethic and positive social involvement? Perhaps a closer look at these verses within their context will reveal a different intent on the part of their writers.

But godliness actually is a source of great gain when accompanied by contentment (that contentment which comes from a sense of inner confidence based on the sufficiency of God).
1 Timothy 6 v6 [AMP]

Here the apostle Paul is describing contentment in a positive manner, a frame of mind to be desired and appreciated. By contrast, complacency is a negative state that often uses a pretence of contentment as an excuse for indifference.

Be still before the Lord; wait patiently for Him and entrust yourself to Him; … those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land.
Psalm 37 v7, 9 [AMP]

The Psalmist argues that waiting upon God’s timing brings benefits; it is not a time of inaction or laziness. This is emphasised in this verse from Proverbs: A slacker procrastinates when it is time to plough; so when it’s time for harvest, there are no crops in the field^[1]. Experience often demonstrates that resting after a task is finished is much more satisfactory than ‘building up one’s energy’ in advance.

Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns; Indeed, the world is firmly and securely established, it shall not be moved; He will judge and rule the people with fairness.”
Psalm 96 v10 [AMP]

The emphasis here is on the benefits of having a firm and secure foundation, one that will not collapse under pressure. It is not a recommendation to ‘do nothing’ but instead it offers us confidence about the future.

These examples demonstrate that it is not sufficient for us to simply read the Bible in a casual or unstructured way. The Bible is more – much more – than a simple history book or instruction manual. It is more like a box of gems that show a different facet each time we open it.

Are you complacent about your understanding of the Bible? Would you like to read the Bible more diligently but haven’t made time yet? Or is it just too difficult to get started?

[1] Proverbs 20 v3 [The Voice]

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